Richard Keogh made his first start for the club since signing his two-year deal towards the end of August, deputising for the injured Peter Murphy who had picked up a knock to the leg during training on Friday.

Loan-signing Jennison Myrie-Williams took a place on the bench, with former Leeds favourite Michael Bridges, on his return from a hamstring injury, providing another very strong substitution option.

Simon Hackney made his 100th League appaearance for the club, hoping to emulate his wonder striker from last November - a goal that had changed the tide of that game.

Leeds were on the front foot first, finding a path down the left flank with neat touches from Becchio. He put it out to Beckford, but the first time cross asked alot of Hughes, who had to stretch as he headed it wide of the upright.

Simon Hackney created the first opening for United, on 3 minutes, when he skipped past two challenges to make it to the bye line. He did everything right, but his cross screwed off the top of his boot and went behind off the top of the bar.

Jermaine Beckford found space on the left once more in the 9th minute, and he wasted no time in cutting the ball back across the line of the 6-yard box. Horwood took a touch, then slid it beyond the advancing Andy Hughes before clearing as it threatened to run out for a corner.

The Hackney outlet was proving to be effective, and his persistence in the 11th minute took him beyond the close attentions of Richardson. His cross went all the way through to Taylor, who volleyed it back towards the centre. Bridge-Wilkinson reacted quickly to the half clearance, but he couldn't keep his left foot shot down.

Another Hackney cross was blocked three minutes later, and it fell nicely for Thirlwell to strike from just outside the penalty area. He connected well, but dragged it wide in the end.

Leeds were handed an opening on 16 minutes when Keogh mis-timed an attempted clearance and hit it at Douglas. He played a one-two with Beckford, but he couldn't direct his strong right foot volley at the target.

Hackney created a wonderful opening on 22 minutes when he carried the ball forward and sent it towards the back post, as he tried to meet the run of Taylor. He was up well, but his header sailed high as he struggled to get any control.

Marques was the last line of defence for Leeds in the 27th minute when Carlisle kept the ball on the right. It eventually came to Bridge-Wilkinson, and his cross was heading for Graham until the big defender got himself in the way.

Horwood had to be on his toes at the other end as Beckford took a touch on the penalty spot, and he would have had a clear path to goal had the United left back not been across to cover.

Williams saved a Kilkenny shot with his legs in the 32nd minute, but the resulting corner led to the opening goal as Becchio stuck a toe out to divert the knock down in to the roof of the net from just 8-yards out.

Both Taylor and Hackney had shots, following mazy runs, as the Cumbrians tried to peg it back, and Danny Graham had a penalty appeal waved away when he was clattered in the back by Kilkenny shortly before half time.

Danny Carlton thumped a left foot shot wide on 40 minutes as the home side continued to press, and Bridge-Wilkinson was unlucky when his 20-yarder dipped just over the crossbar.

Half Time: United 0 - 1 Leeds

Scott Dobie came on to replace Danny Graham for the start of the second half, as the big forward failed to shake off a knock, but Leeds were first to have an attempt when Becchio found himself unmarked 8-yards out. Fortunately for United, he couldn't keep it down and he nodded it in to the crowd.

Raven lost possession on 51 minutes, allowing Beckford to go on a run from deep, but he was off balance when he hit his shot, and he was way off the mark.

Hackney then had a shot blocked on 56 minutes when he ghosted his way in to the area, and Taylor was also thwarted as he tried to get to the rebound.

Scott Dobie was inches away from an equaliser on 64 minutes when he fed the ball out left to Hackney, and then raced in to the area for the return. His header had Lucas beaten, but it drifted away at the last moment.

Simon Hackney had a shot himself 60 seconds later, from 18-yards out, when he latched on to a Bridges cross but Lucas was well positioned on this occasion, and he was able to drop down and scoop it up.

Becchio came close to converting a Richardson cross in the 69th minute, but Raven did enough to put him off as he flung himself at the ball.

United had a better spell in the 72nd minute, with Dobie slipping a pass on for Horwood to cross. Carlton showed for it, but it came off his shoulder and Marques was able to get it away. Dobie was first to the corner, but he couldn't get any power on a header that fell harmlessly behind.

Myrie-Williams caused confusion in the 79th minute when he rescued a Hackney cross and twisted his way in to the area. His pull back reached Keogh, but Delph was in the way, executing an excellent block.

Frazer Richardson hit the bar, with a whistling piledriver, with ten minutes to go, but United should have equalised in the 83rd minute when Hackney raced in to the box. His deflected right foot shot flew just wide, but Myrie-Williams was left with his head in his hands as he somehow failed to apply the finishing touch from less than a yard out.

The Cumbrians committed suicide in the 86th minute when, high up they pitch, Bridge-Wilkinson lost possession and the yellow shirts broke quickly. Hughes and Beckford exchanged passes, and the latter was able to bury his volley from close range with the home defence stretched and out of position.

Goals

Leeds - Becchio (32), Beckford (86)

Bookings

Leeds - Richardson (47)

Teams

United - Williams, Raven, Livesey, Keogh, Horwood, Taylor (Bridges 63), Thirlwell, Bridge-Wilkinson, Hackney, Graham (Dobie 46), Carlton (Myrie-Williams 73). Subs - Howarth, Joyce.

Leeds - Lucas, Richardson, Douglas, Marques, Kilkenny (Snodgrass 75), Beckford, Becchio (Robinson 90), Delph, Hughes, Telfer, White (Howson 55). Subs - Ankergren, Prutton.

Away fans - 2502